New Orleans Cruise Moratorium Extended As Carnival Cruises Sail From Other States
Carnival Cruise Lines on Thursday extended the moratorium on sailings from the Port of New Orleans through August, despite the resumption of s
Were delighted that Carnival Breeze is our first ship to return operating short cruise itineraries and our second ship to resume from the Port of Galveston, said Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy in a press release. Short cruises are very popular with our guests roughly half our fleet operates cruises of five days or less so we are excited to broaden our itinerary offerings to include these convenient and affordable getaways.;
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines and riverboat companies American Cruise Lines and the American Queen Steamboat Company sailed from the Port of New Orleans. Carnival is the largest cruise ship operator in the U.S. with 14 ports and sailed two ships from New Orleans, the Glory and Valor, each of which carries about 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew.;;
In 2019, 1.18 million people took cruises through New Orleans, making it the nations sixth-largest port and generating $125 million in local spending, according to a 2019 report by the Port of New Orleans.;
Tony McAuley contributed to this report.
Waiting For Onboard Amenities To Open
One big draw to cruising many people like is having accessto every onboard amenity upon boarding, sometimes before the ship even takesoff.
While this is true for many cruise ports that are alreadylocated on the ocean, its a little different for ships leaving from the Portof New Orleans. Cruise ships there are docked on the river, not the ocean, andthe river is considered United States territory.
Unfortunately, this means that there are some onboard shopsthat wont be allowed to open for business until the ship hits internationalwaters.
You will definitely see this with the casino on board. Due to various maritime laws, casinos on cruise ships are not allowed to open and conduct business until they are out of internal and territorial waters and instead are on international waters.
From the time the ships leave the Port of New Orleans andhit the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico is about 100 miles, so you should be prepared to wait about 7-8 hours to beable to start your gambling fun.
While you wait, we recommend going for a leisurely walk ondeck, or bring a book to read and hit the lounge. There should be a buffetopen, or maybe the main dining room, so go get something to eat. Or, if youresuper tired after a long flight and drive, use this opportunity to take a muchneeded nap in your cabin.
American Queen Steamboat Company
American Queen Steamboat Company offers a variety of cruises lasting four to 12 nights aboard its American Queen steamboat. Several cruise itineraries are round-trip from New Orleans, while some are one-way with an end destination of Memphis or St. Louis. Types of cruises available include history and culture, blues and barbecue, spring pilgrimage, big band music, Dixie festival and holiday voyages. According to the company website, the American Queen is the largest boat of its kind ever built, with six decks and staterooms ranging from 80 to 500 square feet. While cruising, you can enjoy nightly entertainment shows, dancing, calliope concerts and excellent cuisine from culinary director and chef, Regina Charboneau.
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Best Cruises From New Orleans Louisiana
New Orleans, the largest city in the US state of Louisiana, knows how to party.
Who hasnt heard of New Orleans feasting and revelry during Mardi Gras?
It is legendary.
A cruise from New Orleans is your opportunity to discover the charm, tastes and smells of the Crescent City before or after your cruise.
All you must do is reach the city a few days before your cruise is scheduled to leave the shores of New Orleans.
New Orleans Port is one of the biggest ports in the United States.
Hence, there are all kinds of cruises leaving from New Orleans. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing cruise ports in the United States.
From serving 80,000 cruise passengers in 1983, the port ended up serving one million cruise passengers in 2014.
If you can time your NOLA cruise right, you can enjoy either the Jazz Fest and before stepping onto your cruise.
Note: NOLA is a shorter way of referring to New Orleans and Louisiana.
As Carnival Cruise Returns To No; Passengers Must Be Vaccinated Or Pay Extra $150 For Testing
NEW ORLEANS Carnival Cruise Line plans on returning to New Orleans this Fall, with the Carnival Glory scheduled to leave New Orleans on Sept. 5, 2021.
This will be the first cruise ship to sail out of New Orleans since the CDC halted all cruise ships in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CDC released a conditional framework that would allow cruises to resume if certain thresholds were met, including virus mitigation procedures on board and a simulated cruise to test them before embarking with regular passengers.
Vaccinated passengers must submit their original proof of vaccination card before they can enter the ship. Those passengers must be fully vaccinated and have received the final dose of their COVID-19 vaccinate at least 14 days before departure.
Non-vaccinated customers are still allowed onboard, but must test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure and take an antigen test on arrival as well as another COVID-19 test 24 hours after leaving shore, according to Carnival.
Unvaccinated customers will be charged $150 per person to cover the costs of testing, according to Carnival. Children under 2-years-old are exempt from testing requirement.
The cruise ship industry has been hard hit by the pandemic as it relies on full boats, plenty of trips and passengers are usually in crowded areas – all of which are problems with COVID restrictions.;
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Carnival Glory To Cruise From New Orleans
Currently in drydock in France, Carnival Glory is undergoing upgrades to help make it more compliant to the CDCs protocols for cruise ships. The cruise line is also in the process of vaccinating the crew in preparation for the first cruise from New Orleans set to embark on August 1st. When it sails, the ship will only be at 70% capacity to adhere to the CDCs guidelines for social distancing.;
Per the CDC, Carnival must also have an agreement in place with Port NOLA prior to sailing which outlines the procedures and protocols should an outbreak occur on one of the first sailings back. Last week, Carnival received approval from the CDC for their agreements with several other ports like Galveston, TX, PortMiami and Port Canaveral.;
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Blount Small Ship Adventures
Blount Small Ship Adventures offers excursions aboard the Grand Caribe small ship to various regions of the south. The 12-day Gulf Coast cruise begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Petersburg, Florida, stopping in the cities of Biloxi, Mobile, Pensacola, Panama City, Carrabelle and Tampa Bay. The 16-day Mississippi and Tenn-Tom Waterway cruise sails round trip from New Orleans with stops in various cities in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. The 12-day Tenn-Tom Waterway cruise begins in New Orleans and ends in Nashville, stopping in the ports of Mobile, Demopolis, Columbus, Pickwick, Waverly, Kuttawa and Clarksville. Renovated in 2009, the Grand Caribe features new showers and bathrooms as well as furniture and decor throughout the ship. It can carry up to 96 passengers per voyage with its 48 overnight cabins, has a 180-degree vista-view lounge and an upper deck for sunning or gazing at the stars.
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Carnival Glory To Sail From New Orleans For First Time Since Covid
Carnival Cruise Line announced Monday that Carnival Glory will resume guest operations from New Orleans on September 5 for the first time since March 2020 and COVID-19.
It’s one of three ships resuming operations in September, with another four set to sail in October, bringing the total number of operating ships to 15.
Currently, Carnival is operating under guidelines that say 95% of those on board must be vaccinated. While the cruise line will continue to welcome unvaccinated guests, those individuals, including children under the age of 12, must undergo pre-cruise and pre-embarkation testing and testing again before debarkation. Unvaccinated guests will also be charged a $150 per person charge to cover the costs of testing, Carnival says.
“The decision to sail with vaccinated voyages was a difficult one to make, and we recognize this is disappointing to some of our guests especially the many families with children under the age of 12 who we love to sail, and who love to sail with us,” said Duffy. “It’s important to remember that this is a temporary measure given the current circumstances. In consultation with our medical experts and advisors, we’ve determined this plan is in the best interests of the health and safety of our guests, crew and the destinations that we bring our ships to. It’s very important that we continue to maintain the confidence of our destination partners, so that we can provide our guests with the optimal cruise experience and sail our itineraries.”
Rough Sailing In The Gulf Of Mexico
Something else to consider when it comes to cruising fromNew Orleans is the roughness of the trip. While many cruises will eventuallymake their way to the Caribbean, coming from New Orleans they must first travelthrough the Gulf of Mexico.
During certain times of the year, the Gulf of Mexico can bea much rougher ride than sailing through the Caribbean. This is due to any coldfronts coming across the Gulf. For that matter, cruising in the winter out ofNew Orleans might come with some especially rocky riding.
This isnt so much a safety issue, as the waters in the Gulfarent going to rock enough to tip your cruise ship. But if you get seasickeasily, or are would rather ride through smoother waters, its certainlysomething to consider.
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Transportation In New Orleans
New Orleans cruises are convenient since you can walk to most attractions in the city, but if you need to get somewhere faster or arent comfortable walking long distances, you have several options for transportation. Taxis are often waiting outside the cruise terminal and there are taxi stands throughout the city. You can also find cheaper transportation in the form of New Orleans streetcars, which zip around the city and have multiple stops in the French Quarter. For a historic mode of transportation, board the St. Charles Line, which is the oldest continually operating streetcar line in the world.
Cruises From New Orleans
New Orleans is a city and seaport in the northern Gulf of Mexico in the SE of the state of Louisiana, USA. Renowned for its lying below the level of the amazing Mississippi River, and the subsequent massive underground drainage system, it is surely one of the world’s most fascinating cities. Steeped in a history of influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond, it has a brilliant mosaic of culture, architecture, food, and music. The birthplace of jazz, and with mansions that have featured in famous movies, Porthole Cruise Magazine Readers 2014 awarded the city Best North American Homeport.)
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Carnival Cruise Lines Preps Ships But Has No Firm Date For Renewed New Orleans Sailings
Carnival Cruise Lines is preparing its ships to resume sailings from New Orleans following the decision last week by the Centers for Disease C
But the company confirmed on Thursday that the Glory, which had been booked out for August reduced-capacity sailings, will now not be sailing that month. Previously, passengers have been offered either full refunds or the chance to book future cruises with some additional on-board credit.
As well as the expected sailings from Florida and Texas, Carnival said it would also be resuming some ship routes out of Seattle and Long Beach, California.
“Carnival will continue to ramp up more ships and homeports in September and beyond, bringing hundreds of crew on board each week to be vaccinated, complete CDC-mandated quarantine and then begin work to prepare for guests and the return to guest operations,” the company’s Thursday statement said.
New Orleans Tourism Resurgence
Over Memorial Day weekend, New Orleans saw a jump in the number of visitors to the city. Local news outlet CBS 4WWL reported that the citys hotels were at 90% capacity over the holiday weekend. As people begin traveling once again, the opportunity for cruise and stay visits to the city are an attractive prospect for the hospitality industry in a city where tourism is a key economic driver.;
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said earlier this week that the city is looking to get back to pre-pandemic tourism levels.;
Were going to get back to the 19 million visitors plus, plus, plus, in my opinion because were going to make sure that our city is the safest place to live, as well as visit, she said.;
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Faq About Cruising From The New Orleans Cruise Port
Where do cruises leave from New Orleans?
The Port of New Orleans is located at 1350 Port of New Orleans Place. Cruise ships will leave from either one of two terminals: Julia Street and Erato Street .Once the cruise ships leave the Port of New Orleans, itll take about 7-8 hours to travel along the Mississippi before getting to the Gulf of Mexico and international waters.
Where is the best location to stay in New Orleans?
Any of the hotels within walking distance are great places to stay. However, our top recommendation is the Hilton New Orleans Riverside, located at 2 Poydras St.Why that one? First, it is super close to the cruise port . But the amazing thing about them is while many hotels charge extra for the park & cruise packages, this hotel automatically gives you a 20% discount on your room just for being a cruise traveler.They also provide you with cruise parking at a heavily discounted rate of $13 per night , which is a steal. They dont have a shuttle for the port, but being so close to the terminal you arent going to need it.
How Long is a Typical Cruise from New Orleans?
The average length of a cruise shipping out from New Orleans is 7 nights. There are a select few that are either shorter or longer, but 7 nights is the typical cruise length.
Reasons To Pick Cruises Leaving From New Orleans
With so many cruises offered at ports around the country, what makes cruises leaving from New Orleans the better option? Not only is the port a lovely complex offering passengers a smooth transition from land to sea but it also checks the boxes on many other things as well. Here, then are the 7 reasons you should consider cruises from New Orleans.
1.The New Orleans cruise port is close to home for some 47 million people that live within a 500 mile radius of it, that means a short drive to and from home will get you to your cruise vacation, no need to fly or take days to drive to catch your ship.
2.New Orleans is in great proximity to points of interest throughout the Caribbean and Mexico; it is also well positioned for longer cruises that go through the Panama Canal and transatlantic journeys as well.
3.It is the base port for lots of cheap cruises, especially those Carnival cruises from New Orleans that can get you to the sun for less, an example being their Roatan, Belize and Cozumel cruise now value priced at just $409 per person.
4.Cruises leaving from New Orleans allow passengers to explore the adjoining RiverWalk shopping mall where they can shop and dine to their hearts content either before or after their cruise.
5.Whether you are taking a Norwegian cruise from New Orleans or a Carnival one, you will need somewhere to park your car. Not to worry, the port has a 4-level, 1000 vehicle parking lot that is reserved just for cruise guests at a cost of $16 per day.
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Carnival Cruise Line Preparing For New Orleans Cruises
The Big Easy is one of the most popular destination cities in the United States and pre-pandemic, Port Nola saw more than 1 million passengers flow through the port on cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico. Carnival Cruise Line is once again preparing for ships to sail from Port NOLA and with Floridas status uncertain due to the vaccine passport ban in the state, nearby ports like New Orleans are primed to see a cruise resurgence in the coming months.;
Which Cruise Ships Depart From New Orleans
The New Orleans cruise port features two ship terminals, its primary located at Erato Street and its secondary and original at Julia Street. Each of the cruise port terminals sits on the Mississippi River a few miles south of the French Quarter and Riverwalk districts. New Orleans is the home port for several cruise operators, including three major cruise lines and four small ship companies.
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Pre And Post Cruise Options In New Orleans
Cruising from New Orleans is like adding another port of call to your itinerary. Many cruise passengers stay a few days before or after their cruise to experience the citys culture, cuisine and nightlife. Here are some suggestions:
The French Quarter: Occupying the same six by thirteen block area laid out in 1722, its the only intact French Colonial and Spanish settlement remaining in the United States. Walk down Bourbon Street lined with numerous bars, jazz clubs. Linger in Jackson Square, , and marvel at its historic buildings; the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States and The Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase. From the beautiful architecture to art galleries, museums, and restaurants, the French Quarter has something for everyone.
Plantation Tours: One excellent one to consider is the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. Enjoy a Grand Southern Mansion surrounded by the Souths most beautiful gardens. Catch a glimpse of the way life was in the early 1800â²s when sugar was king and Houmas House was the largest sugar plantation in the world.
Audubon Aquarium & Zoo: This is one of the countrys top-ranked zoos offering an exotic mix of animals from around the globe in natural habitats. At the aquarium, walk beneath the vivid Caribbean Reef, feed a stingray, or become an Adventure Island explorer and journey the Mississippi River.